What is influenza?

Influenza or “flu” is a viral infection of the nose, throat and bronchial tubes. There are two main types of influenza virus: A and B. Type A virus tends to cause more severe illness than type B. Each type includes many different strains which tend to change each year. 

What are the symptoms of influenza?

Influenza usually comes on suddenly. Typical influenza symptoms include headache, fever, chills, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. Intestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting may occur especially in young children. Although most people are ill for only a few days, some people have a much more serious illness, such as pneumonia, and may need to be hospitalized. 

Is It a Cold or Influenza?

When does influenza occur?

Influenza occurs most often in the winter months. Illnesses resembling influenza may occur in the summer months but they are usually due to other viruses.

Who gets influenza?

Anyone can get influenza, but it is most serious in the elderly, in people with chronic underlying illnesses (such as cancer, emphysema or diabetes) or in those with weakened immune systems. 

How is it spread?

Influenza is very contagious and is easily spread through contact with droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person during coughing and sneezing. Influenza may also be spread when a person touches a surface that has influenza viruses on it – a door handle, for instance – and then touches his or her nose or mouth 

How soon do symptoms appear?

The incubation period for influenza is one to five days. 

How is influenza diagnosed?

Once influenza is known to be present in a community, the diagnosis can be made on the basis of the symptoms. Specific lab tests to confirm influenza are costly and time- consuming and are not needed for most cases. 

How long is a person able to spread influenza?

The contagious period varies, but probably begins the day before symptoms appear and extends for a week. 

Does past infection with influenza make a person immune?

Generally, no. The viruses that cause influenza change frequently, so people who have been infected or given an influenza (“flu”) shot in previous years may become infected with a new strain. Because of this, and because any immunity produced by the influenza (“flu”) shot may decrease in the year after vaccination, people should be re-vaccinated every year. 

What you should do if you get the flu?

·         Rest, drink plenty of liquids and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. Influenza is caused by a virus, so antibiotics (like penicillin) don’t work to cure it.  Usually, influenza just has to run its course.

·         The aches and fever can be treated with over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol^R). Children and teenagers with influenza should not be given any medicine containing acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin^R) because of the risk of a serious disease called Reyes Syndrome.

·         Individuals at high risk may be treated with antiviral antibiotics (e.g., oseltamivir, zanamivir, amantadine, rimantadine).  

When should you call your doctor?

·         If you have trouble breathing, chest pain or cough that produces sputum which is bloody or rust-colored.

·         If fever has lasted more than 3 to 4 days or is above 102˚F (39. C) orally, in adults and children or 100.4˚F (38˚C) axillary, in children.

·         If you are not starting to get better after a week or so. 

What can be done to control or prevent influenza?

·         Routine immunization against influenza is the most important control measure. When influenza occurs, an antiviral drug may be prescribed for prevention for certain people.

·         Wash your hands often with warm water and soap. This will reduce your chance of becoming infected after touching contaminated surfaces.

·         Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. The influenza virus spreads quickly from person to person through droplets in the air. These droplets come from our noses and mouths, so it's important to cover them.

·         Do not visit patients in hospitals or residents in personal care homes if you have influenza-like symptoms.

·         Healthy eating, adequate sleep and physical activity are essential to your health, but won't protect you completely from the influenza virus.  

For further information, contact your doctor or Health Links at 788-8200.